Page 64 of The Missing Sister

Nuala took the book and looked down at the page Philip had pointed out. She felt as if she was back at school, having been chosen to stand at the front of the classroom and read a piece aloud.

‘Right, I’ll be giving it a go but...’ She took a deep breath. ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud, That floats on high o – o –’

‘The word is “o’er”, as in “over”. Go on, you’re doing awfully well.’

Six lines later, Nuala was fit to throw the stupid book onto the fire, because it was makingherlook stupid.

‘I told you, Philip, reading out loud is not my favourite. Especially not with these strange words that your man Wordsworth uses. I’d do better if ’twas the Bible, or descriptions of parts of the body, or sicknesses from my nursing training.’

‘It’s good to be given a challenge. You challenged me today, and I took it, remember?’

‘Ah, you’re right; so you’re paying me back for dragging you outside?’

‘I am, but I’m so glad you did. It’ll be the same with you and your reading. All it takes is the bravery to give something a try. Why don’t you take that book home with you tonight and look over the poem? Tomorrow I’ll help you with any words that you can’t pronounce. And honestly, Nuala, thank you for insisting I go outside. Why don’t you take a read of some of the other poems whilst I have a short nap?’

Philip’s eyes were still closed an hour later, when there was a soft tap at the door and his mother walked in.

Nuala put a finger to her lips.

‘The dear boy is obviously wiped out,’ said Lady Fitzgerald. ‘He’s had more excitement in the past few hours than in the year since he came home. I cannot thank you enough for persuading him outside. He told me it was all down to you. I’m so very grateful. Here.’ She pressed a coin into Nuala’s hand. ‘I know you were married recently, so think of it as a small wedding gift from me, and please don’t tell the other servants.’

‘Thank you, Lady Fitzgerald, but there really is no need.’

‘Now then, why don’t you get home to your husband, and I’ll see Philip to bed?’

‘I will, so, thank you.’

‘Look at you, persuading the young master outside,’ Lucy the kitchen maid smiled as Nuala, now changed into her home clothes, walked through the kitchen towards the back door. ‘Everyone’s been talking about it, haven’t they, Maureen?’

‘They have, Lucy. I’d half wonder what Nuala has been doing upstairs to persuade him.’

As Maureen turned away and walked through the door that led to the front of the house, Nuala stared at Lucy open-mouthed.

‘Did she really just say what I’m thinking she said?’ she breathed.

‘She did, so, Nuala, but you’re not to be taking any notice of the old witch. We all know she lost her husband in the Great War and her babe was stillborn, but that’s no reason for being cruel.’

‘Last week, she was telling me that my weight was affecting my work.’ Cook turned round and shook her head. ‘I told her straight, had she ever seen a thin cook?’ Cook (whose real name was Mrs O’Sullivan) began to chuckle. ‘And would you be trusting them if they had? Just ignore her, Nuala, she’s jealous that you’re in with the young master and Lady Fitzgerald.’

Having said goodnight, Nuala got on her bicycle, still seething. Under the oak tree, she let out her frustration.

‘That witch knows I’m newly married! How could she even be thinking I’d be upstairs using my charms on Philip? Jaysus! I’m his nurse, ’twould almost be...’

The thought was so horrifying she didn’t have the word for it. Her rage fuelling her flight along the valley in half the normal time, she was just leaning her bicycle against the side of her cottage when old Mrs Grady, her neighbour, appeared out of nowhere.

‘Is your man sick, Nuala? I heard some talk in the village.’

‘He is indeed, Mrs Grady.’

‘I’ve not heard a peep from him since you left. I did tap on the door and look through the front window, but the curtains were closed.’

‘He was probably sleeping after a bad night. I’ll be up inside now to check on him.’

‘If he’s that sick, he shouldn’t be left alone when you’re at work,’ Mrs Grady clucked. ‘I’m happy to be popping in during the afternoons to see if there’s anything he’d be needing while you’re out.’

‘That’s very kind of you, Mrs Grady, and sure, I’ll take you up on the offer if he’s not improving.’

‘You do that,’ Mrs Grady said as Nuala unlocked the door. ‘Would you like me to come inside with you? Just in case...’